Northern Ireland: Ex-prisoner support groups

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much they have paid to paramilitary prisoners' support groups in each year since 1999.

Baroness Amos: Records show that the support detailed in the table below has been paid to ex-prisoners' groups and to organisations providing assistance to ex-prisoners since 1999. Ex-prisoners' groups may apply for funding from any programme or scheme for which they can satisfy the relevant eligibility criteria.
	
		
			 Year Funding Provided 
			 1999–2000 5,082,980 
			 2000–01 1,136,182 
			 2001–02 1,797,533 
			 2002–03 3,198,544 
			 2003–04 2,729,679 
			   
			  13,944,918 
		
	
	In some cases groups offer support to both victims and ex-prisoners and it has not been possible to disaggregate the amount directed to support ex-prisoners alone. The total figure has therefore been used in these cases. Paramilitary prisoners' support groups are not identified as a specific category for the purposes of recording financial support.
	Services have also been purchased from the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders to support serving prisoners families. Details are provided in the table below.
	
		
			 Year NIACRO 
			 1997–98 37,500 
			 1998–99 82,420 
			 1999–00 56,300 
			 2000–01 87,238 
			 2001–02 82,322 
			 2002–03 104,451 
			 2003–04 139,313 
			   
			  589,544

Northern Ireland: Ex-prisoner support groups

Lord Glentoran: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much public money has been given to ex-prisoners' welfare organisations in Northern Ireland since 10 April 1998; which such organisations have been in receipt of public funds; and how much each has received.

Baroness Amos: Records show that the support detailed in the table below has been paid to ex-prisoners' groups and to organisations providing assistance to ex-prisoners since April 1998.
	Ex-prisoners' groups may apply for funding from any programme or scheme for which they can satisfy the relevant eligibility criteria. In some cases groups offer support to both victims and ex-prisoners and it has not been possible to disaggregate the amount directed to support ex-prisoners alone. The total figure has therefore been used in these cases.
	
		
			 Assistance Provided to Organisations ProvidingSupport to Ex-Prisoners £ 
			 AAI Construction 126,315 
			 Amach Agus Isteach 109,497 
			 An Eochair 247,788 
			 An Loiste Uir 92,227 
			 Ar Ais Aris 252,421 
			 Arais Aris ar an Omaigh 44,000 
			 Aras Tar Abhaile 492,832 
			 Ard Eoin Amach Agus Isteach 100,280 
			 Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre 100,970 
			 Boyne/Prisoners Enterprises 53,325 
			 CAIRDE 36,428 
			 Cairde Strabane Republican Ex-prisoners Group 212,124 
			 Clare Ex-Prisoners Association 3,750 
			 Coiste na larchimi 15,000 
			 Coiste na n-larchimi 910,569 
			 Committee on the Administration of Justice 2,000 
			 Cumann na Fuiseoige 22,500 
			 Cumann na Meirleach Ard Mhaca Tueas 907,088 
			 CUNAMH 7,000 
			 East Belfast Prisoners Aid PCRG 66,196 
			 Educational Trust 369,112 
			 EPIC 1,142,053 
			 EPIC (Belfast) 12,000 
			 Epic (East Ulster) 60,000 
			 EPIC (Mid Ulster Branch) 26,500 
			 EPIC (North Ulster Branch) 71,300 
			 EPIC (W Belfast) 32,400 
			 Epic East 103,600 
			 EPIC Mid-Ulster 84,500 
			 EPIC North 90,560 
			 EPIC Northwest 38,707 
			 EPIC South Belfast 96,753 
			 Ex-pac 40,857 
			 Extern 29,977 
			 Fermanagh Prisoners Dependants Association 84,000 
			 Gae Lairn 698,259 
			 Glencairn Peoples Project 25,578 
			 Goitse 249,871 
			 Greater St James Ex-Prisoners Group 2,750 
			 Highfield Prisoners in Partnership 126,021 
			 Iarchimi Fhear Manach 41,819 
			 Innis Toide 10,000 
			 Innis Toide Crafts Ltd 1,000 
			 INTERCOMM (Inter Community DevelopmentProject) 1,000 
			 Lagan Valley Ex-Prisoners Support Group 9,535 
			 Larchimi Fhear Manach 92,149 
			 Larne Associated Enterprise Development Ltd(LAED) 120,000 
			 LINC 195,645 
			 Linc Resource Centre 2,830 
			 Lisburn Enterprise Organisation 10,000 
			 Lisburn Prisoners Support Group 392,348 
			 Lisburn Prisoners Support Project 504,943 
			 Media Training Services (PANG) 18,750 
			 Monkstown Community Resource Centre 68,847 
			 New Lodge Forum 49,772 
			 Newhaven Trust 10,746 
			 Newtownabbey Prisoners Resettlement Group 81,300 
			 NIACRO 2,226,234 
			 NIACRO Employment Services 44,504 
			 NIVT 1,123,324 
			 North Belfast Prisoners Aid 163,126 
			 Oganaigh Le Cheile 1,500 
			 Portadown Irish Prisoners 3,000 
			 Prison Arts Foundation 60,807 
			 Prisoners Aid (East Belfast) 4,500 
			 Prisoners Aid (North Belfast) 85,958 
			 Prisoners Aid (Shankill) 83,500 
			 Prisoners Aid and Post Conflict ResettlementGroup 141,096 
			 Prisoners Aid and Post Conflict ResettlementGroup (East Belfast) 91,870 
			 Prisoners Aid and Post Conflict ResettlementGroup (North Belfast) 97,158 
			 Prisoners Aid and Post Conflict ResettlementGroup (Shankill) 144,650 
			 Prisoners Aid Networking Group 6,000 
			 Prisoners Enterprise Project 383,825 
			 Prisoners Enterprise Project (South Belfast) 50,000 
			 Prisoners Enterprise Project (South) 58,783 
			 REACT (Derry) 14,073 
			 Strabane Ex-Prisoners Group 78,979 
			 Support for Non-Aligned Prisoners 4,916 
			 Tar Abhaile 447,017 
			 Tar Anall 1,398,504 
			 Tar Anall—Iuir Cinn Tra 156,433 
			 Tar Isteach 294,488 
			 Teach na Failte 575,501 
			 Welfare Unit (Maze) 100,840 
			 Tra Chearr 67,063 
			 Tra Chearr/BIFHE 16,600 
			 Tra Ghear Prisoners Support Development Plan 149,416 
			 Tus Nua 170,659 
			 Ulster Prisoners Aid 116,869 
			 Ulster Quaker Service Committee 103,007 
			 Venture International (PANG) 35,000 
			   
			 Total 17,296,992

Northern Ireland: Childcare

Baroness Blood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the ratio of registered childcare places to children under eight years old in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Amos: At 31 March 2003 (the latest date for which such information is currently available) there was one registered childcare place with childminders or in day nurseries, playgroups, out of school clubs or holiday schemes per 3.7 children under eight years old in Northern Ireland.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 23 April (WA 63) concerning the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency, who calculated the budget for 2004; on what basis it was calculated; after what consultation; and with whom.

Baroness Amos: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given on 22 March (WA 73).
	The 2004 budget calculation for the Ulster-Scots Agency was based on the approved actions in the agency's business plan, together with associated staffing costs.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 23 April (WA 63) concerning the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency, on what date in 2001 the agency acquired the premises in Donegal.

Baroness Amos: There was a factual error in the Written Answer given to the noble Lord on 23 April (WA 63). At its board meeting on 7 December 2001 the Ulster-Scots Agency agreed to accept a five-year lease of the Donegal premises. However, the agency acquired the premises in Donegal when its lease commenced on 1 July 2002.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the corporate plan and the business plans of the Ulster-Scots Agency have been agreed by the appropriate Northern Ireland departments and by the North/South Ministerial Council.

Baroness Amos: The Ulster-Scots Agency's draft corporate plan for 2005–07 and the draft business plan for 2005 have not been agreed by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. The draft plans are presently under consideration by the sponsor departments, North and South.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 18 May (WA 75), whether Mr O'R-aga-n attended the Ulster Scots future search from 28 to 30 November 2002; and whether he gave consultancy advice to the department directly after the event; and, if so, why that information was not provided.

Baroness Amos: Mr O'R-aga-n attended the future search conference in November 2002. The advice he subsequently gave related to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made since 1 March by the Ulster Scots future search, organised by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Baroness Amos: Since 1 March 2004, there have been a number of meetings of the Ulster Scots Future Search Implementation Group. These addressed language, education, equality, communication, community infrastructure/empowerment and internationalism. The work was temporarily suspended in April 2004 at the request of Ulster Scots representatives.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the consultative meeting with Waterways Ireland took place, at which the 2004 budget for Waterways Ireland was considered; who attended the meeting; and whether they will place copies of the minutes of the meeting in the Library of the House.

Baroness Amos: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 31 March 2004 (WA 157).
	Under Part II, paragraph 2 (Internal discussion and advice) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it would be inappropriate for the Government to disclose documentation relating to discussions on the budget for Waterways Ireland.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much has been spent each year to date in restoration by Waterways Ireland of the Royal Canal and the Union Canal; what is the projection for the future; and when restoration will be completed.

Baroness Amos: The restoration of the Royal Canal is part of an overall capital works programme agreed under the Republic of Ireland national development plan 2000–06. Since Waterways Ireland took over responsibilty for the restoration of the Royal Canal on 1 April 2000, a total of 7.22 million euros has been spent to date. The yearly expenditure was as follows:
	2000: 1,133,916 euros
	2001: 2,396,265 euros
	2002: 2,477,955 euros
	2003: 982,372 euros
	2004: 232,680 euros (1st quarter)
	The projected future expenditure is as follows:
	2004: 1,783,320 euros (2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters)
	2005: 3,700,000 euros
	2006: 3,500,000 euros
	It is hoped to complete the restoration under the national development plan 2000–06.
	Waterways Ireland does not have a Union Canal under its remit.

Irish Language Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What factors were taken into consideration in the decision to allocate proportionality of funding for the Irish Language Agency for each year since 2000.

Baroness Amos: The budgets for the Irish Language Agency have been determined in accordance with normal budgeting procedures on the basis of business plans supplied by the agency. The assessment of benefits for each jurisdiction in relation to the language body budget, including the Irish language budget, was made when the body was established in December 1999. No new factors have arisen since then which would require a change to this assessment.

Republic of Ireland: Official Languages Act

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 22 April (WA 55), whether the Republic of Ireland's Official Languages Act 2003 applies to all implementation bodies which have locations in the Republic of Ireland.

Baroness Amos: The Government understand that the Official Languages Act 2003 applies to those activities of the bodies that occur in the Republic of Ireland.

Republic of Ireland: Official Languages Act

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 6 May (WA 125) concerning the Republic of Ireland's Official Languages Act 2003, when the code of practice reflecting the legal and policy frameworks established in both jurisdictions will be ready; whether a copy will be placed in the Library of the House; and whether it will refer to the Official Languages Act 2003.

Baroness Amos: The code of practice is currently in preparation. When it is finalised it is likely that it will refer to the Official Languages Act 2003.
	I will ensure that copies are placed in the Library of the House.

Cross-Border Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in respect of the 2004 budgets for Cross-Border Implementation Bodies, is it possible for a body to receive up to a 40 per cent increase on its 2003 budget under the policy of care and maintenance; and if so, on what basis.

Baroness Amos: It is possible for a body to receive an increase in its 2003 budget provided it relates to the continuation of policies and activities clearly agreed in the North/South Ministerial Council.

Language Implementation Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to the statement concerning the 2004 budget of the Language Implementation Body in the record of Cross-Border Decisions IP/LAN 11, with whom did the departments agree the 2004 business plans, where and on what dates; and what is meant by "the 2003 baseline position".

Baroness Amos: Following agreement with the two Departments of Finance, the two sponsor departments agreed with each other on 15 January 2004 to approve specified actions of the 2004 business plans. This approval followed consideration and discussions between the departments concerned and with the two agencies. The 2003 baseline position means the approved budget for 2003.

Northern Ireland: Hospitals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What hospitals in Northern Ireland have a total smoking ban; which have a partial ban; and which have no ban at all.

Baroness Amos: The information requested is provided in the table below:
	
		
			 Hospital Policy Details 
			 Altnagelvin No smoking Designated smoking areas provided. Also smoking cessation support provided for patients and staff 
			 Antrim Area No smoking Total ban 
			 Belfast City No smoking Designated smoking areas provided. Available for selected groups only, eg mental health patients 
			 Causeway No smoking Designated smoking area provided. Available for psychiatric patients only 
			 Craigavon Area No smoking Designated smoking areas provided 
			 Daisy Hill No smoking Designated smoking area provided (outside the main hospital building) 
			 Downe No smoking Total ban 
			 Erne No smoking Designated smoking area provided 
			 Green Park No smoking Designated smoking areas provided. Smoking cessation support provided for staff and advice on stopping smoking given to patients at pre-operative assessment and outpatient clinics 
			 Lagan Valley No smoking Total ban 
			 Mater Infirmorum No smoking Controlled access designated smoking areas provided. Smoking cessation support provided to staff and patients 
			 Mid-Ulster No smoking Total ban 
			 Royal Group No smoking Designated smoking areas provided 
			 Tyrone County No smoking Designated smoking area provided 
			 Ulster No smoking Currently smoking areas provided. To cease from January 2005

Northern Ireland: Long-term Care of the Elderly

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to extend to Northern Ireland the provision whereby elderly people no longer have to sell their homes in their lifetime to pay for long term care.

Baroness Amos: There are no plans at present to extend the deferred payments scheme for long-term care to Northern Ireland. A 12-week disregard on the value of a resident's home came into operation on 22 April 2002.

Northern Ireland Civil Service: Recruitment

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is their intention that the Northern Ireland Civil Service should recruit a reasonable proportion of former offenders, subject to the usual safeguards of suitability for particular posts.

Baroness Amos: The recruitment policies of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) determine that all eligible persons shall have equal opportunity for employment and advancement in the NICS on the basis of their ability, qualifications and aptitude for the work.
	All those appointed to positions within NICS must satisfy certain servicewide requirements for appointment. One requirement includes meeting a standard in relation to the absence of certain unspent criminal convictions. Very minor unspent convictions do not preclude applicants from appointment.
	The aim is to ensure as far as possible that the business needs and reputation of the NICS are considered alongside best practice in terms of the rights of former offenders. It is the intention of Her Majesty's Government that all appointees (including former offenders) to the NICS will continue to be assessed in the above way.

Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure defines culture.

Baroness Amos: There is no standard definition of culture and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure does not operate under any specific definition.
	In establishing its vision for culture and the arts DCAL undertook a wide-ranging consultation exercise in 2000 with many stakeholders which resulted in the publication of Face to Face—A Vision for Arts and Culture. A key conclusion of this exercise was that culture keeps evolving and the department has sought to recognise that in its responses.

Northern Ireland Civil Service: Remuneration

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 22 April (WA 56), what was the percentage increase in Northern Ireland civil servants' salaries between £135,584 to £229,449 from 1 April 2004: how this compares with the last increase; and when was that increase made.

Baroness Amos: The figures quoted in the reply on 22 April are the minimum and maximum of the scale and do not represent an increase for any individual to £229,449. No awards within this scale, with effect from 1 April 2004, have yet been made.

Northern Ireland: Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many schools they estimate will need to close their sixth forms due to a requirement to extend provision of courses offered at A-level, if the Costello report into education is implemented in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Amos: No sixth form need close. The present range of A-level options, that in some schools is fewer than 10 subjects, is clearly inadequate. Costello highlighted the need to expand this. It is envisaged, however, that many sixth forms will not do this as providers but as enablers through constructive access arrangements and co-operation with other local schools and FE colleges.

Northern Ireland: Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will implement a common funding formula for all schools in Northern Ireland; and, if so, what would be the consequences for schools in Belfast, especially those in "targeting social need" areas.

Baroness Amos: The Department for Education in Northern Ireland plans to consult schools on the final proposals for the common funding formula over the next few months, with the aim of implementing common funding in April 2005. Work on the impact of the proposals is still under way and I am, therefore, unable to provide details of the consequences for schools in Belfast. The implementation of common funding will be undertaken within finite budgetary constraints, and central to this will be the issue of manageability, especially for schools facing reductions in their relative budget share.

North/South Language Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 20 May (WA 95), whether the procedures outlined applied for the 2003 budget of the North/South Language Body; if so, when consultations were held with the agencies; and why the budget was changed later in the year.

Baroness Amos: I have nothing further to add to my Answers of 12 November 2003 (WA 197) and 20 November 2003 (WA 353).

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When Mr Frank McGuinness and Ms Patricia Kelly withdrew from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; whether they are still in receipt of salary and expenses; and if so, why, in view of government responsibility under paragraph 2 (4) of Schedule 7 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, they were not dismissed.

Baroness Amos: Frank McGuinness' term of appointment ended on 29 February 2004.
	Ms Patricia Kelly is still in receipt of her salary and we continue to review her position.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for the full-time reserve of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Baroness Amos: The Government accepted, subject to the security situation, the recommendation in the Patten report that "the future police service should not include a full-time reserve". In October 2002 the Chief Constable put forward a human resource strategy to meet the staffing needs of the Police Service over the next eight to 10 years, which the Policing Board endorsed. This included a phased rundown of the full-time reserve over an 18-month period from April 2005, subject to no further deterioration of the security situation and the continued success of the recruitment campaign for the service.
	The Chief Constable has publicly stated that he will complete a review of these matters after this summer. The Secretary of State will await the outcome of the Chief Constable's advice to the Policing Board and Ministers before further decisions are taken on the full-time reserve.
	The Government recognise the major contribution that members of the reserve have made to the maintenance of law and order in Northern Ireland and the high price that they and many of their families have had to pay in doing so.
	Detailed discussion on arrangements on severance are continuing. The Government are committed to ensuring that the FTR are treated no less favourably than the terms currently on offer under the voluntary severance scheme.

Olympic Advisory Group

Lord Moynihan: asked her Majesty's Government:
	Whether David Veness, Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, is chairman of the seven-nation Olympic Advisory Group.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK acts as the unofficial co-ordinator of the OAG. David Veness heads the UK team and informally chairs meetings of the seven member countries (the UK, US, France, Germany, Spain, Israel and Australia). Plenary meetings of the OAG, i.e. with the Greek authorities present, are normally chaired by the Greek Minister of Public Order.

Afghanistan: Narcotics Production

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What estimate they have made of the amount and value of Afghan narcotics production and export in the calendar year 2004.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: No information is currently available for 2004.
	The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in Afghanistan. The most recent survey, published in October 2003, showed that the level of opium cultivation in 2003 was 80,000 hectares and production was 3,600 tonnes.
	Estimates of the size of the illegal drugs economy are that it is between 1.3 billion and 2 billion dollars, compared with a legal economy of 4 billion to 5 billion dollars. Some opiates are consumed in Afghanistan but the vast majority is exported.
	The UNODC is in the process of assessing the 2004 harvest in conjunction with the Afghan Government. Its report will be published in the autumn.

Israel: Illegal Settlements

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will call upon Israel to remove illegal settlement outposts in accordance with United Nations and Quartet requirements.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have consistently called on the Israeli Government to freeze all settlement activity and dismantle settlement outposts erected since March 2001, as required under phase 1 of the road map. We will continue to do so.

Passports

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many United Kingdom passports were reported (a) lost and (b) stolen in each of the past five years; how many were recovered; how many were replaced and what steps are in place to cancel the validity of lost or stolen passports.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We cannot offer a definitive Answer to this Question. However, it is our view, subject to the results of ongoing work, that there are a number of factors which have contributed to the increase in the recorded figures for passports lost, stolen or unavailable since 1998. Key among these are likely to be an increase in identity fraud and an increase in the number of reports being made to and recorded by the UK Passport Service.
	As recognised by the Cabinet Office Identity Fraud: A Study published in July 2002, identity fraud is a serious and growing problem for the UK and it is possible that this has contributed to the increase in passports being reported as lost or stolen. However, there is no evidence currently available which could establish the degree to which the increase in identity fraud has resulted in the increase in reports of lost and stolen passports.
	Both the UK Passport Service and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have undertaken campaigns in recent years to encourage members of the public to report the loss or theft of passports. These campaigns will also have contributed to increased reporting and will be reflected in the figures we have given.
	Furthermore, the current passport issuing system, which was installed in UK passport offices between October 1998 and November 2001, provides for a more consistent and structured way of recording reports of losses than was available on the previous system. This provides figures which more accurately reflect the true extent of reported losses.
	The UK Passport Service is far from complacent about the large number of passports which become separated from their rightful bearer. Instances of forgery and manipulation of UK passports are kept under constant review as are the security features in the passport book itself. The current digital passport has a number of very advanced security features which make it extremely difficult to alter or replace the genuine details.
	The number of passports reported stolen, lost or unavailable in the first quarter of 2003 was 46,273.

Future Joint Combat Aircraft

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total cost of the joint combat aircraft project (a) to date, and (b) to completion of the procurement cycle.

Lord Bach: To date, a total of £345 million has been spent on the assessment of (£144 million) and demonstration (£201 million) phases of the future joint combat aircraft (FJCA) programme. This total comprises our contributions to the JSF programme as the means of meeting the FJCA requirement, the cost of studies on alternative aircraft options and costs associated with UK national activities. The forecast procurement costs to completion are estimated to be up to £10 billion based on the current planning assumption of procuring 150 aircraft.

Bilateral Defence Acquisition Committee

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the United States-United Kingdom Bilateral Defence Acquisition Committee was established; what are its terms of reference and membership; how often it has met; and how its deliberations are to be made public.

Lord Bach: The Bilateral Defence Acquisition Committee was established as a result of the agreement between my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and President Bush on 17 July 2003. The first meeting took place on 9 February and the second took place on 3 June. Its deliberations are a matter for our two Governments, but we will of course keep industry informed of relevant developments. Representation at meetings is dependent upon the subjects being discussed. The terms of reference were signed by Dr Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, US DoD and Sir Kevin Tebbit, the Permanent Secretary, UK MoD at the first meeting on 9 February.
	The terms of reference are as follows:
	The Bilateral Defence Acquisition Committee (BDAC) is a senior forum between the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD). Its purpose is to increase the effectiveness of defence acquisition co-operation between the two nations, as agreed in an exchange of letters between the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States. It includes representation from each nation's foreign policy establishments. Consistent with the exchange of letters, the BDAC will, as a minimum:
	Develop and co-ordinate efforts to improve information and technology exchange including the timely release of classified and sensitive information.
	Clarify existing arrangements for the US and UK defence industrial information sharing and release to ensure consistent and reciprocal treatment.
	Address co-operative lifecycle acquisition activities from research and development and test and evaluation, to co-operation in procurement and in logistics support.
	The BDAC will initially meet quarterly to ensure that action is pursued vigorously to implement, in practical measures, the spirit of enhanced co-operation and openness represented by the exchange of letters. At least one meeting each year will be chaired by the United States Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Permanent Secretary of the United Kingdom MoD. Other meetings will be chaired by the DoD Under-Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and the MoD Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Equipment Capability. Meeting venues will alternate between the two nations.
	These terms of reference were signed on 9 February 2004 and will be reviewed at a minimum every two years.

Nuclear Submarines

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 24 May (WA 110) on nuclear submarines, whether the radioactivity in the reactor compartment and the reactor itself is located in the surface of the steel; and, if so, whether it could be removed by heavy shot blasting.

Lord Bach: Most of the radioactivity is contained within the reactor pressure vessel, which is in the submarine's reactor compartment, and consists of irradiated steel as a result of exposure to neutrons during reactor power operations. As this activity occurs throughout the body of the steel it could not be removed by heavy shot blasting. Outside the reactor pressure vessel, but within the reactor compartment, is the primary circuit, which circulates hot water from the reactor pressure vessel to heat exchangers. While this circuit has not been significantly exposed to neutron activity, its internal surface is contaminated with radioactive corrosion products that are deposited in the cooler pipework outside the reactor pressure vessel. As the contamination is internal to the sealed primary circuit, the heavy shot blasting technique could not be used.

Right-to-Buy Scheme

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the impact of the restrictions to the right-to-buy scheme.

Lord Rooker: The Government's assessment of the impact of their proposed changes to the right-to-buy scheme are set out in the Explanatory Notes published when the Housing Bill was introduced into the House of Lords on 13 May 2004. Copies were made available in the Library of the Houses.
	To summarise, the Government believe that the changes will have a limited effect on public expenditure and little effect on public service manpower, will limit the returns available to companies that seek to exploit the rules, and are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Department for Education and Skills: Recruitment

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the policy of the Offenders' Learning and Skills Unit of the Department for Education and Skills towards the employment by them of ex-offenders.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The DfES policy on recruitment is not to discriminate against ex-offenders in employment decisions. Every case is decided on individual merit.
	The department will consider employing people currently serving a period of rehabilitation provided they do not fall into the excepted classes of employment and offices covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and they meet the recruitment criteria covering skills and/or qualifications, health and nationality.

British Grand Prix

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What meetings they have held with Formula One management and the British Racing Drivers Club on the subject of retaining the British Grand Prix.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Derek Mapp, chairman of the East Midlands Development Agency, who is currently leading discussions on behalf of the Government about Silverstone, has had numerous meetings with both Formula One management and the British Racing Drivers Club, some of which have also been attended by my right honourable friend the Minister for Sport (Richard Caborn). While these discussions continue, they have resulted in the recent announcement that the British Grand Prix will be retained at Silverstone until 2006.